Mr Perry, 34, woke to the smell of smoke and saw a flicker coming from a bedroom where his sons Jeremy and Blade, aged three and four, were sleeping.

Jeremy and Blade. ()

Mr Perry ran through the blaze to pull his sons to safety, but Blade died Wednesday afternoon after the family switched off his life support.

As preparations begin for a funeral, Blade’s father has penned a letter to his son:

To my little mate,

This is not how it’s meant to be. I will never forget the great times we shared or your beautiful face. You were the best thing that ever happened to me; the best big brother; the best mate anyone could ever have.

If I could swap places with you I would in a heartbeat. I’m so lost without you. You will forever have my heart.

You do as many donuts as you like buddy and make sure you find some good fishing holes for when we meet again.

Love you to the moon and back my little mate,

Love,

Dad

Mr Perry also wanted to share a video of Blade doing donuts on a kids quad bike. This is how he’ll remember Blade, the “bright little boy from the bush”.

Blade’s brother Jeremy remains in hospital with burns to 60 percent of his body. His parents remain by his side and will be in Brisbane for at least six months for treatment.

The family must now move their lives to the city, three-and-a-half hours away from their home.